ONE WORD CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE: Why I've Been Choosing Mine for Over 12 Years

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Sunrise scene with flowers, stacked stones labeled FAITH and FINISH, and text: ONE WORD Can Change Your Life — One Word 💜

ONE WORD CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE: Why I've Been Choosing Mine for Over 12 Years

Yesterday, October 11, I celebrated something pretty incredible. 18 YEARS AS A NONSMOKER!

Eighteen years ago, I made a decision that would change my life. I quit smoking. Was it easy? Absolutely not! Did I have moments when I wondered if I could do it? Of course!

But I made a commitment to myself, and I kept showing up for that commitment, one day at a time.

And here I am, 18 years later!

October 11 has become more than just my nonsmoking anniversary. It's also the day I choose my ONE WORD for the coming year.

I've been doing this for more than 12 years, and I can tell you that this simple practice has made a difference in how I approach my life, my health, my relationships, and the challenges that come my way.

This year, my word feels more important than ever.

But before I share it, let me explain where this whole idea came from.

What Is ONE WORD?

Years ago, I read a book called One Word That Will Change Your Life by Jon Gordon, Dan Britton, and Jimmy Page.

The concept is beautifully simple.

Instead of creating a long list of resolutions, goals, or promises to yourself, choose ONE WORD that represents how you want to live, grow, and show up in your life.

Just one!

Think about how often we start a new year with a list of things we're going to change.

Lose weight.Exercise more.Eat healthier.Get organized.Spend more time with family.Save money.Stress less.

Sound familiar?

And what happens?

Life gets busy. Our motivation fades. Something unexpected happens, and before we know it, that wonderful list has been forgotten.

The One Word approach is different.

Rather than focusing on a dozen things you think you SHOULD do, you choose one word that becomes a guide for the choices you make throughout the year.

It's not another item on your to-do list.

It's a way of approaching your life.

The book encourages us to simplify our focus, look inward, and discover a word that reflects what we need most in our current season of life.

The authors describe a three-part process: Prepare Your Heart, Discover Your Word, and Live Your Word.

I love that last part.

Because choosing a word is easy.

LIVING your word is where the real change happens!

My 12+ Years of ONE WORD

Over the years, I've chosen many different words.

PASSION.

HEALTH.

MODERATION.

CALM.

BALANCE.

PATIENT.

PRESENT.

PURPOSE.

Each one represented something I needed to work on, pay attention to, or bring more of into my life.

And isn't that what life is all about?

We are constantly changing. Our circumstances change. Our priorities change. What we need at 40 may be completely different from what we need at 60!

Some years, my word has been about my health.

MODERATION reminded me that living a healthy lifestyle doesn't require giving up everything I enjoy.

BALANCE reminded me that health isn't just about food and exercise. It's about making room for the things and people that matter.

CALM encouraged me to slow down, take a breath, and recognize that not everything requires an immediate reaction.

PRESENT reminded me to actually BE where I am instead of constantly thinking about what's next.

PATIENT? Well, let's just say that one has always been a work in progress!

And PURPOSE reminded me to keep my attention on what matters most and why I do what I do.

Here's what I've learned.

Your word doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to mean something to YOU.

And sometimes, the word you need isn't necessarily the word you would have chosen if life were going exactly according to plan.

Which brings me to this year.

My Words for 2026–2027: FINISH and FAITH

Last year, I chose the word FINISH.

And I've decided to keep it as my ACTION word for another year.

Why?

Because I still have things I want to finish!

Projects I've started. Commitments I've made. Ideas I've had. Things that matter to me that deserve my time and attention.

I don't want to spend my life constantly starting something new while leaving the important things unfinished.

FINISH reminds me to follow through.

To complete what I've started.

To honor the promises I make to myself.

And to recognize that sometimes finishing something means deciding it no longer deserves a place in my life.

But this year, I'm adding another word.

FAITH.

And this one comes from a very personal place.

When Life Reminds You That You Are Not in Control

As many of you know, my husband Don has been diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Those are words you never want to hear.

Suddenly, life looks a little different.

There are appointments, procedures, test results, treatment decisions, and questions that don't always have immediate answers.

And then there's the waiting.

Oh, the waiting!

I'm going to admit something about myself.

I LIKE CONTROL!

I like having a plan. I like knowing what's next. I like figuring out how to solve problems and make things happen.

And when something is out of my control?

That's HARD for me!

If there's a problem, I want to fix it.

If there's a question, I want an answer.

If there's something that needs to be done, I want to DO IT!

But cancer doesn't work that way.

I can't control test results.

I can't control how every treatment will go.

I can't control what tomorrow brings.

And believe me, if I could, I WOULD!

That's where my word FAITH comes in.

What FAITH Means to Me

When I say FAITH, I'm talking about so many things.

I have faith in God.

I have faith in the universe.

I have faith in my angels and the guidance and comfort I believe surround us.

I have faith in Don's medical team, their knowledge, their experience, and the care they're providing.

I have faith in myself and my ability to navigate difficult days, even when I don't feel particularly strong.

And most importantly, I HAVE FAITH IN DON!

My husband is an incredibly strong man.

I see his strength, his courage, and his determination as he faces this diagnosis.

I believe in him.

I believe in us.

I believe in our ability to walk through this together, one day at a time.

Does that mean I'm never scared?

Of course not!

Does it mean I don't worry?

Are you kidding? I'm human!

And does having faith mean everything will happen exactly the way I want it to?

No.

FAITH doesn't mean we aren't afraid. It means we refuse to let fear be the only thing guiding us.

We can be scared and still have faith.

We can have questions and still believe.

We can have difficult days and still recognize the strength and love surrounding us.

And maybe, just maybe, one of my biggest lessons this year will be learning that I don't have to control everything to be okay.

I can do my part.

I can show up for Don.

I can take care of my own health and wellness.

I can ask questions, stay informed, and make thoughtful decisions.

And I can work on releasing the things that are simply beyond my control.

Will I master that overnight?

NOT A CHANCE!

But that's why FAITH is my word.

It's what I need to practice.

FINISH and FAITH: Two Words That Work Together

The more I've thought about these two words, the more I realize how beautifully they complement each other.

FINISH is about taking responsibility for what I CAN control.

FAITH is about learning to release what I CANNOT control.

Think about how that applies to our everyday lives.

You can control whether you plan a healthier meal. You cannot control every number on the scale.

You can control whether you make time for activity. You cannot control every change that happens to your body.

You can control how you communicate with someone you love. You cannot control how that person responds.

You can control whether you prepare for a medical appointment, ask questions, and follow through with your care. You cannot control every test result.

You can control how you show up for yourself and the people you love.

But you cannot control everything that happens around you.

And for those of us who really LIKE control, learning that distinction can be life-changing!

How Can ONE WORD Change Your Health and Wellness?

This is where I think the One Word concept fits so beautifully with what I teach at Always On Your Side Coaching.

Living a healthier life isn't about being perfect.

It's about making choices that support the life you want to live.

And sometimes, having one simple word to guide those choices makes everything a little easier.

Let's say your word is CONSISTENCY.

Instead of expecting yourself to exercise an hour every day, you focus on showing up regularly, even if it's only for 15 minutes.

Maybe your word is NOURISH.

You start thinking about what you can ADD to your meals to better support your body instead of constantly focusing on what you need to eliminate.

What if your word is BALANCE?

You begin recognizing that enjoying dinner with friends and taking care of your health can absolutely exist together.

Maybe your word is REST.

You finally give yourself permission to prioritize sleep, recovery, and downtime without feeling guilty.

Or perhaps your word is COURAGE.

You make that appointment you've been putting off. You join a support group. You ask for help. You take the first step toward something you've been afraid to try.

One word can influence hundreds of little decisions throughout your year.

And those little decisions?

They add up!

How Do You Find YOUR Word?

First, I encourage you to read One Word That Will Change Your Life. It's a wonderful starting point for understanding the process.

But you can begin exploring your own word right now.

Find a quiet moment. Put your phone down. Give yourself a little space to think.

Ask yourself:

What do I need MORE of in my life right now?
What has been holding me back?
What am I struggling with?
How do I want to feel at the end of the next 12 months?
What kind of person do I want to be?
What word would help guide me through the season of life I'm in?

Don't rush the process.

Write down words that come to mind.

Maybe it's JOY, PEACE, STRENGTH, SIMPLIFY, GRATITUDE, TRUST, FOCUS, LOVE, HEALTH, or PATIENCE.

And don't worry if your word isn't particularly exciting!

Sometimes the most ordinary words have the greatest meaning.

The important thing is choosing something that resonates with YOU.

Not your spouse.

Not your best friend.

Not what you think sounds impressive.

YOU!

Now What? How Do You LIVE Your Word?

This is the part that matters most.

You can't just choose a word, write it down, and forget about it until next year!

Your word needs to become part of your everyday life.

Here are a few ideas.

Keep it visible. Put your word on your bathroom mirror, refrigerator, desk, or phone. Somewhere you'll see it regularly.

Use it when making decisions. Ask yourself, "Does this choice support my word?"

Make it part of your morning routine. Take a minute to think about how you can practice your word today.

Check in with yourself. At the end of each week, ask whether your actions reflected your word.

Give yourself grace. You're not going to live your word perfectly every single day. That's not the point!

For me, when I feel myself trying to control something I simply cannot control, I want to remember FAITH.

When I'm tempted to put off something important or leave another project unfinished, I want to remember FINISH.

Two simple words.

Two very different purposes.

And both are exactly what I need right now.

Why October 11 Will Always Be Special to Me

Eighteen years ago, I stopped smoking.

I didn't know everything that would happen over the next 18 years.

I didn't know every challenge I would face or every wonderful opportunity that would come my way.

But I knew I wanted to make a change for my health.

And I did.

One decision.

One day at a time.

And now, every October 11, I get to celebrate that decision and choose a new word to help guide me through another year.

I love that tradition.

Because it reminds me that we don't have to wait until January 1 to make meaningful changes.

We can begin on a birthday.

An anniversary.

A random Tuesday.

Or today!

And sometimes the changes we make aren't about losing weight, exercising more, or eating differently.

Sometimes they're about changing the way we think.

The way we respond.

The way we love.

And the way we handle the things life puts in front of us.

This year, I'm choosing to FINISH what matters and have FAITH in what I cannot control.

I'm choosing to show up for myself, for Don, for our family, and for the people who matter to me.

I'm choosing to trust, even when I don't have all the answers.

And I'm choosing to keep living my life with purpose, gratitude, and love.

Because life doesn't always give us a choice about what happens next. But we do have choices about how we respond.

And that, my friends, is where ONE WORD can make an incredible difference.

So now I want to know...

If you could choose ONE WORD to guide your next 12 months, what would it be?

Take your time. Think about it.

And when you find it, don't just say it.

LIVE IT!

Remember, finding your easiest way to health and wellness isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about discovering what works for YOU and continuing to show up.

One word. One choice. One day at a time.

It is a 45 minute read and it is so worth it I have read it every year for the last 12 years.

Buy the copy of your One word here~ https://link.amazon/B06KGk7re

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